Sero-prevalence of human T-lymphotrophic virus 1/2 among HIV-1 infected individuals in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: HTLV­1 or 2 co­infection in individuals infected with HIV­1 can lead to increased morbidity. The shared routes of transmission of HTLV with HIV­1 may increase the prevalence of HTLV among HIV­1 infected population and subsequently affect patient's management. Methods: Sera were collected from 144 HIV­1 infected individuals attending the highly active anti­retroviral therapy (HAART) clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital between the months of May and August 2016. Sera were tested for anti­HTLV IgM and IgG antibodies to HTLV­1&2 using the sandwich enzyme­linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Out of the 144 participants tested, 47 (32.6%) and 37 (25.7%) were positive for HTLV IgG and IgM respectively. Twenty­one participants (14.6%) had both IgG and IgM antibodies to HTLV­1&2. Ten individuals were anti­retroviral drug naïve out of which, four and six were positive to anti­HTLV IgG and IgM respectively. Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed that there is high sero­prevalence of HTLV IgG and IgM antibodies among HIV­1 sero­positive individuals in Ilorin. The high rate of co­infection supports routine screening for HTLV­1/2 co-infection among HIV­1 infected individuals in Ilorin, Nigeria so that the purpose of HAART treatment and monitoring of patients to prevent progression to AIDS will not be aborted